Tailor-made Apprenticeship on a Journey to Success

Tailor-made Apprenticeship on a Journey to Success

The UK’s leading automotive retailer has joined forces with one of the largest college providers of apprenticeships in the country to upskill its motor vehicle technicians.

The pilot scheme to deliver the Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principals is being rolled out by West Nottinghamshire College to team members at Pendragon Plc.

Ten individuals who work at a range of car dealerships around the country, have embarked on the specially-devised training scheme being dubbed the ‘Pendragon Passport’, which is being delivered at the college’s state-of-the-art Engineering Innovation Centre in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

The programme, which runs until 2018, is a bespoke programme designed to upskill technicians in the automotive industry and will equip technicians with skills such as car chassis technology, engine and transmission technology, electrical and electronic technology and a range of health and safety training as well as learning about the legal aspects of the industry.

They will study over a two-year period consisting of six weekly blocks per year at the college’s engineering facility which is fully-equipped with a motor vehicle engineering workshop and uses the latest in engine tools and technology.

The college’s head of business development, James Godsell, said:

“We’ve worked closely with Pendragon to create a robust and transferrable set of technical skills for this first cohort of students.

“Providing them with this ‘Pendragon Passport’ means that they will be developing the key skills needed in their technician roles and they’re working to standards expected within the Pendragon network.

“We’re looking forward to building on this apprenticeship and welcoming further groups from the Pendragon group to our specialist engineering campus.”

Sian Hall, head of resourcing at Pendragon PLC, said:

“Our people are key to the underlying success of our business, and we are dedicated to investing in them with continuous learning and development opportunities.

“The Pendragon Passport is a fantastic way to equip our team members with key skills to help them succeed and further their career within the business. I look forward to welcoming many more people onto the scheme.”

Clayton Shepherdson, 16, is an apprentice technician at Evans Halshaw in York and has just begun studying on the programme.

He said:

“Over the next two years this course will help to provide me with the skills I need for work.

“The facilities here at West Nottinghamshire College look really good. I’m just starting the theory and looking forward to moving on to the practical side of things in the workshop.”

“My dad got me into this career. He’s a service manager and he was a technician at my age and I’ve always wanted to follow in his footsteps. I want to get my apprenticeship and work my way up in the industry.

“I like it here at West Nottinghamshire College as it’s away from home – no distractions so I can focus on the course. The equipment here is top of the range, with all new ramps and new cars.”

“This pilot programme is great so far. Career-wise it’s another qualification under my belt.

“I’ve done many other jobs and I feel this one is going to be a constant. Having Pendragon investing in us – starting out in this new job and getting a qualification paid for is great. I finished education after school and did my other learning on the job. It was strange coming back, knowing there would be younger students but I’ve settled in well.”

West Nottinghamshire College provides education and training to some 30,000 full- and part-time students across all major industry sectors and at pre-GCSE to university level.